Thursday, November 10, 2011

I have noticed in many pictures from interiors magazines that they have gone a bit crazy with the styling of the rooms. Especially Elle Decor, their stylist loves to put a over sized limb or leaf in every room. While this is great for a beautiful photograph, it is not that practical for everyday life. Use caution when trying to implement this idea of over-scaled foliage in your home.....

The stove might set the leafy branch on fire!

Love the room but I am afraid this branch might put an eye out.

I certainly love this large leaf plant in the corner compared to your typical plant. The arrangement on the mantle protrudes into the room a bit too much.

The arrangement on the coffee table won't stand a chance with a kid in the house!

This is beautiful, dramatic and out of the way so bravo on this design!

The arrangement on the table is a nice size for drama without being too large.

This oversize foliage really brings the outdoors in, it seems to blur the division of the wall. Very well designed.

The foyer table needs a dramatic arrangement like this. This room is just a bit off symmetry, which I find disturbing. The picture on the left should be hung at the same center as the one one the right. The small vase on the table is pointless and you might as well center the large vase on the table to complete the symmetry.

Lovely!

Any other ideas about what magazine stylist put in a room that is not practical? Send in your comments!! ~ Brandy

Friday, November 4, 2011

This week has been SO hard to get up in the morning. The weather has turned crisp, it's just before the time change, so it's dark outside and I am nice and cozy in a warm bed.... all the makings for sleeping in. Beep, beep, beep... alarm goes off a zillion times and I dragged myself out of bed, but tomorrow is a different story, it's Saturday and I plan on sleeping in!!! I am going to dream about being cozied up in these beautiful beds.....

The ultimate bedroom from the movie "The Holiday" with Cameron Diaz

Beds that are high that you have to climb up into make it hard to climb out of.....

What about Beds that envelop you...ahhhhhh

The books are in reach so you don't have to even get out of bed.

There is something about a mix of prints and textures that make me feel warm and fuzzy inside.....

A casual room makes me want to run and take a flying leap into bed....

These bedrooms are crisp and minimal. There is something comforting about not having clutter....

Thursday, November 3, 2011

I was watching Bath Crashers on the DIY network (http://www.diynetwork.com/bath-crashers/show/index.html) and it reminded me of how misleading these design shows are about how long it takes to do a remodel. Matt says "bring your friends and family to start demo tomorrow". The supposed "next day" the weather is completely different. The next day is most likely 3 weeks later. It takes that long to order glass shower doors. They have to measure, order materials and they can't do that in 12 hours overnight. It takes time to build and install too! It doesn't happen in 2 days like they make it seem.

Don't get me wrong a remodel can happen fast depending on the size if all materials are on site and you have a crew that works around the clock (which you have to pay overtime). So, cheap and fast can't happen simultaneously. Typically, if you are willing to wait it will cost less, especially if you do the work yourself. If you want it done fast, then it will cost more, overnighting materials and paying crews overtime. These shows give the public the wrong impression of how long and expensive these remodels can be. Read our other blog on designing on a dime.

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The purpose of this blog is to allow our creative juices to flow. While maintaining "focus" is a necessary and vital role in our profession, we are foremost designers and we need to be free to think beyond possibilities. Why not invite you in to experience it with us and capture some of that juice to nourish your soul. We believe in authenticity, order and most of all beauty. "Design is thoughtful making or rather, thought before making."